Cigarette smoking is the main cause of COPD but has a much less severe negative impact on the circulatory system.
A patient with kyphosis and a measured VQ ratio of 0.6 has a decreased ability of inhaling air into their alveoli.
Clinical manifestations seen in a patient with respiratory acidosis are tachypnea and tingling of the fingers.
The nurse taking care of a patient with venous insufficiency understands the mechanisms of this disease when she makes sure the feet are lower than the heart.